"It is an honour to be appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of FAO. I will pledge to take the new responsibility very seriously. Now I have become really connected to what is truly important" said Italian dancer Carla Fracci when she was appointed FAO Goodwill Ambassador on 15 October 2004.

Considered to be one of the greatest classic dancers of this century, Carla Fracci is surnamed "The Eleonora Duse of the ballet" and "The Legendary". Born in Milan, she studied at the La Scala Ballet School from 1946 with Vera Volkova and others, graduating into the company in 1954. She was soon promoted soloist and principal. At La Scala she performed as Juliet in Cranko's Romeo and Juliet (1958) and Elvira in Massine's Don Giovanni (1959). She appeared with many companies like London Festival Ballet in 1959 and 1962, Royal Ballet in 1963, Stuttgart Ballet in 1965 and Royal Swedish Ballet in 1969. From 1967 she was principal guest artist of the American Ballet Theatre.

She is renowned for her interpretation of the romantic roles. Giselle was her greatest success, she danced it with many great partners like with Rudolf Nureyev, Vladimir Vasiliev, Henning Kronstam, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Erik Bruhn. Her unforgettable Giselle with Bruhn was filmed in 1969. Other great roles were Sylphide, Swanilda and Juliet.

She was director of ballet in Naples 1990-91 and in Verona 1995-97. She is now director of the Balletto dell'Opera di Roma.